Common Noun is a word (such as “singer,” “ocean,” or “car”) that refers to a person, place, or thing but that is not the name of a particular person, place, or thing. It actually is the ' category label ' for things. Let say 'car' is the common noun for a Honda civic, and a 'Honda civic' is the proper noun for a car. It's like asking your self what kind of car do I like? A Ferrari or a Porsche?